Last week, ZAKA International Rescue Unit Chief Officer Mati Goldstein, together with Rabbi Joseph Garmon of the Guatemala Jewish community and representatives Israel Embassy representatives, held a series of meetings with Guatemalan government agencies, the Defense Ministry, Home Front Command and Fire Services, as well as with police and emergency responders in order to begin a series of professional training sessions.

Guatemala is facing considerable challenges in the emergency field and is looking to train its first responders in a number of different disciplines, in full cooperation with ZAKA.

ZAKA will be training government agencies, Home Front Command, emergency first responders and Jewish communities throughout Guatemala.

The Israeli network also held meetings with Cadena, the local Jewish rescue organization, in order to ensure collaboration and cooperation for the benefit of the Guatemalan Jewish community as well as for Israel’s public diplomacy efforts in the region.